Anchor equipped mooring chain



1940- G. 1. MIDDLEBROOKS 2,191,856

ANCHOR EQUIPPED MOORING CHAIN Filed Dec. 19, 1938 In venior Glenn 1. flfzddlelwks A tiorneys Patented Feb. 27, 1940 2,191 ,sse

ANCHOR EQUIPPED MOORING CHAIN Glenn 1. Middlebrooks, Houston, Tex., assignor of one-half to Arthur L. Middlebrooks, Texarkana,

Ark.

Application December 19, 1338, Serial No. 246,731

1 Claim.

As the title of the invention implies, the structure illustrated in the drawing and herein described and claimed pertains to all types of mooring buoys or docks such as are used to tie up ships off shore in open water to take on cargo. More specifically, the inventive concept involves an improved self -adapting and accommodating flexible connection between the anchor and buoy.

The underlying principle of the invention has to do with the adoption and use of a multiple section flexible connector between the buoy and anchor, this involving a new idea for the replacement of the dip in an anchor or mooring chain with a better and improved dip such as is calculated to promote longevity and simplicity while at the same time reducing replacement costs.

Persons skilled in the art to which the invention appertains are aware that the dip is that section of the chain between the buoy and the anchor forming a substantial right angle and constantly changing from a horizontal to a vertical position at the point where it rises up and attaches to the buoy. This part, from fifteento twenty-five feet in length, when replaced by chain links, has a tendency to wear the chain rapidly, due to the action of the waves on the buoy, causing the buoy to move up and down. This action of the buoy causes the links to strike against each other on the bottom in the sand, and consequently wearing them out rapidly.

Briefly and broadly, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a triple section assembly, there being a horizontal chain to reside on the bottom and attached to the anchor, a perpendicular chain attached to and depending from the buoy, and an intervening pivotally attached section of a predetermined length and material, the latter functioning as a rise and fall adapter link.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawmg.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding d e t ails throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a complete assembly elevational View showing the anchor, the buoy, and the improved flexible and adaptable jointing or connecting means between the anchor and buoy.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the preferred form of adapter link generally utilized.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be observed that the conventional anchor is denoted by the nu- (01.114-206) l meral 3,, this being embedded in the bottom 17 of the body of water. At a remote point and on the surface of the water 10 is the buoy 4 or other equivalent type of float. The anchor 3 has attached to its'shank portion a pivotally 5 mounted clevis 5. A similar clevis 6 is pivotally connected as at 1 with the depending shank on the bottom of the buoy.

The invention, as before stated comprises the triple-part unitary assemblage constituting the 30.

connection between the buoy 4 and the anchor 3. The anchor chain 8 is attached to the clevis 5 and normally rests on the bottom I). This is the horizontal chain. The perpendicular or vertical buoy chain is differentiated by the numeral 15 l 9. This chain is connected with the clevis 6. Obviously, these chains are of conventional or any suitable construction. The important intermediate section, forming the so-called automatic adapter is indicated at ID. This part can of course, be of varied construction. The main point is that it should be rigid from end to end. Consequently, it may be satisfactorily called a rigid adapter link affording a self-adjusting connection between the two chains 8 and 9. In the drawing I have shown a rigid bar ll having eyes l2 and I 3 at opposite ends-these serving to accommodate the pivot pins I 4 affording operating connection between the clevises i5 and It, whereby to provide the desired assembling element. It 30 will be observed that the pivots are horizontal and that the rigid link [0 is therefore movable through an arc in a'vertical plane.

Under this arrangement it is evident that the construction will reduce friction and wear to a 35 minimum and a dip of this type will last several times aslong as a dip consisting merely of chain links such as now used. That is to say, instead of replacing the conventional dip or wearing section of the chain with ordinary anchor-chain, a rigid bar or equivalent part is used, this being of the same length as the old dip and of sufficient strength to stand as much or more strain than the chain. The length is to be determined by the average rise and fall of the tide in the locality where the invention is installed, the strength to be determined by the size and, strength of the anchor-chain used on the buoy.

The use of the horizontal and vertical chains 8 and 9 and the intervening adapter links and 59 the accommodation shackles provides what is believed to be the ideal arrangement in a structure of this class. It is evident that at the point IS, the distance between I5 and I6 shall be such that at extreme high tide the buoy 4 shall not raise the link or bar I bodily from the point IE at any time. Nor shall the complete bar l0 ever touch bottom at extreme low tide. As the tide rises and falls, the action of the waves on the buoy throws all of the wear on the shackles at the two points l4 and I5. This wear is minimized by determining the proper length of the bar to be used according to existing conditions from extreme high to low tide. Hardened steel pins are employed for pivotal elements andif desired the eyes l2iand l3 of the bar may be lined with wear resisting sleeves or bushings.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

Apparatus of the class described for use in tidewater streams, comprising an anchor to be deposited on the bed of the stream, a buoy, a buoy chain section attached at one end to said buoy to depend therefrom and being of less length than the depth of the stream at low tide, an anchor chain section attached at one end to said anchor and adapted to repose on the bed of the stream, and a bar-like dip section having one end pivoted to the lower end of the buoy chain section and the other end pivoted to said anchor chain section, respectively, said dip section being of a length greater than the distance between the lower end of the buoy chain and the bed of the stream at high tide, whereby said dip section is adapted to incline upwardly from the bed of the stream with one end resting on said bed and to pivot on said bed with its remainder clear of the bed during both rise and fall of said buoy with the tide.

GLENN I. MJDDLEBROOKS. 

